Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 7
Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps
श्रेय: कुर्वन्ति भूतानां साधवो दुस्त्यजासुभि: । दध्यङ्शिबिप्रभृतय: को विकल्पो धरादिषु ॥ ७ ॥
śreyaḥ kurvanti bhūtānāṁ sādhavo dustyajāsubhiḥ dadhyaṅ-śibi-prabhṛtayaḥ ko vikalpo dharādiṣu
Les sādhus œuvrent pour le bien des êtres; même la vie, si difficile à quitter, ils la sacrifient. Dadhīci, Śibi et d’autres en sont la preuve; dès lors, quelle hésitation à abandonner cette terre si minime ?
Bali Mahārāja was prepared to give everything to Lord Viṣṇu, and Śukrācārya, being a professional priest, might have been anxiously waiting, doubting whether there had been any such instance in history in which one had given everything in charity. Bali Mahārāja, however, cited the tangible examples of Mahārāja Śibi and Mahārāja Dadhīci, who had given up their lives for the benefit of the general public. Certainly one has attachment for everything material, especially one’s land, but land and other possessions are forcibly taken away at the time of death, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā ( mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham ). The Lord personally appeared to Bali Mahārāja to take away everything he had, and thus he was so fortunate that he could see the Lord face to face. Nondevotees, however, cannot see the Lord face to face; to such persons the Lord appears as death and takes away all their possessions by force. Under the circumstances, why should we not part with our possessions and deliver them to Lord Viṣṇu for His satisfaction? Śrī Cāṇakya Paṇḍita says in this regard, san-nimitte varaṁ tyāgo vināśe niyate sati ( Cāṇakya-śloka 36). Since our money and possessions do not last but will somehow or other be taken away, as long as they are in our possession it is better to use them for charity to a noble cause. Therefore Bali Mahārāja defied the order of his so-called spiritual master.
FAQs
This verse says sādhus seek the highest welfare (śreyas) of all beings and are willing to sacrifice even their own lives for others’ good.
He cites them as well-known examples of extreme self-sacrifice to prove that saintly, dharmic persons give up even what is hardest to give—life itself—for the benefit of others.
Practice sādhū-like compassion by prioritizing others’ genuine welfare—through service, charity, protection of life, and truthful guidance—offering one’s time, resources, and comfort in a spirit of dharma and devotion.